Unmanned aerial vehicles are an important part of new operational techniques for US forces. Arming them has proven even more usefu. France wants some too.
Saab Aerosystems has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dassault Aviation of France aimed at defining a development programme for an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator. The agreement follows the news in June that the French government intended to fund Dassault to develop a stealthy UCAV technology demonstrator and a subsequent letter of intent between Sweden’s FMV (Defence Materiel Administration) and the French Délégation Générale pour l’Armement (DGA) on co-funding of the project. France has put up EUR300 million ($366 million) for the programme. Although the project is seen as an international collaboration, Dassault Aviation and Saab Aerosystems will be the main participants. Dassault will manage the project as commissioned by the DGA, with Saab as its principal partner.
The French defence ministry said Saab’s decision to join the project underscored the determination of Stockholm and Paris to "maintain an independent capacity in Europe to design fighter aircraft". It added that the Swedish constructor would be given a "significant part in developing the UCAV demonstrator". From Saab’s viewpoint, one aim will be to further develop the high level of expertise within the company in the field of air vehicles, to the benefit of the Gripen fighter as well as future unmanned air vehicles. The demonstrator will develop cutting-edge technologies for the advanced UAVs of the future. These include advanced aeronautics, unmanned flight technology, stealth technology and the move towards network-centric defence. According to Lennart Sindahl, senior vice president and general manager at Saab Aerosystems, "this is an extremely important step for the development of Swedish UAV technology. With the Gripen we have shown that Saab is a world leader at integrating complete aircraft systems. This, in combination with cutting-edge ’know-how’ of aerospace technology, makes Saab a supplier of UAV systems for the future. |